Satellite remote sensing of clouds and atmospheric thermodynamics for weather and climate applications
About the role
The CERES Cloud Working Group and LaRC Satellite ClOud and Radiative Property retrieval System(SatCORPS) team at NASA Langley work synergistically to produce global datasets of cloud properties and radiation parameters derived from passive visible and infrared sensors on sun-synchronous (e.g. Aqua, Terra, Suomi-NPP, and NOAA-series) and geostationary (e.g. GOES, Meteosat and Himawari) satellites. These retrievals are key datasets for monitoring cloud systems at different spatiotemporal scales and are essential for quantifying and monitoring the Earth's energy budget, and for determining cloud radiative effects and weather impacts.
Responsibilities
- Development and refinement of cloud retrieval algorithms
- Validation of cloud properties by combining numerous datasets and theoretical observations
- Satellite support for field campaigns (e.g. ORACLES, NAAMES, ACTIVATE)
- Applied research on the role of clouds in climate
- Studies to demonstrate the utility of satellite retrievals in weather forecasting tools
- Algorithm development and validation studies that combine satellite retrievals from numerous platforms (e.g. CloudSat, CALIPSO, and microwave sensors) as well as from aircraft data
- Research that relates aerosol variability to cloud microphysical and radiative changes (aerosol indirect effect and contrail forcing)
- Projects that propose novel use of machine learning techniques for algorithm development and data analysis of the climate data record
- Development of new products and applications that utilize hyperspectral infrared remote sensing measurements from current and future operational satellite systems
Requirements
- A solid background in remote sensing, radiative transfer, and physical climatology
- Interests aligned with those of the CERES Cloud Working Group and SatCORPS team
Qualifications
- Doctoral Degree
Skills
- Remote Sensing
- Radiative Transfer
- Physical Climatology
- Machine Learning Techniques
- Cloud Retrieval Algorithms
- Field Campaign Support
- Climate Research
- Weather Forecasting Tools
- Hyperspectral Infrared Remote Sensing
Benefits
- Unique research opportunities at NASA Centers, Headquarters, or affiliated research institutes
- One- to three-year fellowships
- Competitive funding
Pay
- Commensurate with experience
Schedule
- TBD
Contact Information
For questions about this opportunity, please email npp@orau.org.
Location
Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia
Field of Science
Earth Science
Advisors
- William L. Smith, Jr.
- Email: william.l.smith@nasa.gov
- Phone: 757-864-8577
Eligibility
- U.S. Citizens
- U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR)
- Foreign Nationals eligible for an Exchange Visitor J-1 visa status
- Applicants for LPR, asylees, or refugees in the U.S. at the time of application with 1) a valid EAD card and 2) I-485 or I-589 forms in pending status
Additional Information
ORAU offers internships, fellowships, research opportunities, and contract positions that can provide valuable experience. Download the ORAU Pathfinder mobile app to find the right opportunity for your career path!